COTABATO CITY – The deployment of extra law enforcement officials and troopers as peacekeepers in historically troublesome cities in Maguindanao del Sur throughout elections is among the many measures the police and Fee on Elections (Comelec) are contemplating to make sure peaceable, orderly and credible elections within the Bangsamoro Area in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in September this yr.
Officers of Maguindanao del Sur Police Workplace and Comelec began preparations for tighter safety measures at the least 15 days earlier than the submitting of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the historic Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
The Comelec has scheduled the submitting of COCs on Might 5-7, 2026, for the Sept. 14 political train.
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Colonel Michael John Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police director, met with lawyer Allan Kadon, provincial election supervisor, to map out safety plans in order that the submitting of COCs can be peaceable and secured.
Each businesses mentioned joint protocols, technical safeguards and deployment methods to guard polling stations, election supplies and personnel.
“This synchronized effort underscores shared dedication to uphold the integrity of the electoral course of,” Mangahis stated.
Mangahis advised Kadon that the great safety measures are already in place throughout all municipalities, together with troop deployments, checkpoints and visibility patrols designed to discourage intimidation and violence.
He defined that these proactive steps intention to ensure that candidates and residents alike can take part freely and safely in the course of the submitting interval.
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Throughout the submitting of COCs for native elections final Might 2025, aspirants searching for electoral posts have been both ambushed, harassed or intimidated on their method to the ballot physique’s places of work.
To forestall related incidents from taking place on this yr’s submitting of COCs, the early safety preparations would at the least assure secure election-related actions.
Mangahis stated steady joint assessments and open communication channels between Maguindanao police and Comelec “will guarantee speedy response to rising threats, with precedence given to areas recognized as election hotspots.”
The police director emphasised that future deployments can be calibrated based mostly on evolving risk assessments, guaranteeing assets are directed the place they’re most wanted.
Each Mangahis and Kadon agreed that classes realized from previous elections spotlight the significance of early coordination, seen deterrence, and neighborhood vigilance.
Mangahis urged the residents to stay cooperative and alert to assist set up an environment conducive to free political workout routines and be certain that the elections genuinely mirror the need of the folks.
Menace teams exist in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte which will make noise in the course of the BARMM elections.
These teams embrace the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group, personal armed teams and the proliferation of free firearms within the palms of civilians.
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These are among the many challenges going through the area’s safety sectors, the Comelec and the Bangsamoro authorities. /das
